Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel took the field before Thursday night's kickoff for a pregame warmup session that included light throwing, his first of any kind since undergoing a minor procedure on his left knee Aug. 18.

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The Bills' first-round draft pick tossed a string of 10- to 15-yard passes from a stationary position. Manuel took a handful of three-step drops but favored his left leg, moving deliberately and shifting his weight from his back foot to his front foot, according to the team's official website.

Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News observed that Manuel "threw a lot of balls" but "wasn't trotting or anything." We still don't have a clear picture of when Manuel will take the field.

The young passer's appearance was unadorned by the fanfare that followed Robert Griffin III's every offseason move, but Buffalo's season arguably hinges on Manuel's return.